Multi-tube separation membrane module

ABSTRACT

A multiple tube type separation membrane module characterized in that said module comprises plurality of tubular separation membrane elements  3  having sealed ends and open ends; outside pipes  13  surrounding the tubular separation membrane elements  3  with spaces formed therebetween and having first openings on the sealed ends side of the tubular separation membrane elements  3  as well as second openings  133  in the vicinities of the open ends of the tubular separation membrane elements; means for inlet communicating with the first openings of the outside pipes; first means for outlet communicating with the open ends of the tubular separation membrane elements; and second means for outlet communicating with the second openings of the outside pipes, wherein fluid F 1  flowing from the first openings of the outside pipes through the means for inlet flows in the spaces between the tubular separation membrane elements  3  and the outside pipes  13 , component F 2  separated from the fluid F 1  by the tubular separation membrane elements  3  flows out from the first means for outlet through the open ends of the tubular separation membrane elements  3 , and the remaining fluid F 3  flows out from the second means for outlet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a multiple tube type separationmembrane module used to separate specific components from a fluid suchas a solution, a mixed gas, and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

Multiple tube type separation membrane modules as equipment forseparating components in solutions or mixed gases are known. Theseparation membrane element used in the multiple tube type separationmembrane module is made by composing a membrane of zeolite and the likehaving fine pores approximately as large as the molecules of substancesto be separated around a porous tube.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a conventional multiple tube type separationmembrane module. The multiple tube type separation membrane module has acylindrical shell 1, plurality of tubular separation membrane elements 3extending in the cylindrical shell 1, support plates 2 a and 2 b havingplurality of opening for supporting the tubular separation membraneelements 3 and fixed to one end and the other end of the cylindricalshell 1, covers 4 a and 4 b attached to the shell 1 so as to cover thesupport plates 2 a and 2 b, and plurality of baffles 5 attached in thecylindrical shell 1 so as to support the tubular separation membraneelements 3. The cylindrical shell 1 has a fluid inlet 6 in the vicinityof the support plate 2 a and a fluid outlet 7 in the vicinity of thesupport plate 2 b. Each of the baffles 5 is formed in a partly cutoutdisc shape and has a role to move the fluid in the shell 1 from thefluid inlet 6 of the cylindrical shell 1 to the fluid outlet 7 directingthe flow of the fluid perpendicularly to the tubular separation membraneelements 3.

The covers 4 a and 4 b have outlets 8 a and 8 b for componentspermeating the membrane, respectively. When a fluid F1 is supplied fromthe fluid inlet 6 as well as the insides of the covers 4 a and 4 b beingsucked from the outlets 8 a and 8 b for membrane-permeable-components,the fluid F₂ from the fluid F₁ comes out through the tubular separationmembrane elements 3 and flows out from the outlets 8 a and 8 b, and theremaining fluid F₃ flows out from the outlet 7. Since the multiple tubetype separation membrane module densely holds the separation membraneelements 3 in the cylindrical shell 1, a large total area of theseparation membranes is provided in the shell and a large fluidprocessing capacity is available, although the shell is compact.However, the processing capabilities of the tubular separation membraneelements 3 are not fully effective, and the processing capacity of themultiple tube type separation membrane module is far less than whatcalculated as the sum of the processing capacity of the individualmembrane elements 3. It is contemplated that this is because (a)although the flow direction of fluid can be effectively regulated by thebaffles, diffusion rate of membrane permeating components from the fluidto the surface of the tubular separation membrane is low due to theinsufficient turbulence of the fluid in the vicinities of the tubularseparation membrane resulting from the difficulty to sufficientlyincrease the flow velocity of the fluid with the buffles, and (b) theshell has a dead space to which the fluid is not distributed and theseparation membranes in the dead space do not contribute to theseparation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a multipletube type separation membrane module which enables full use of theprocessing capacity of individual tubular separation membrane element inthe module.

As a result of diligent studies in view of the above object, theinventors have conceived the present invention by discovering that theprocessing capacity of the multiple tube type separation membrane modulehaving plurality of tubular separation membrane elements for separatingmembrane-permeable-components from a fluid is improved, when the tubularseparation membrane elements are surrounded by tubular materials to formnarrow spaces there-between, since the fluid passes through the spacesat a high speed promoting turbulence of the fluid in the vicinity of thetubular separation membrane elements as well as the fluid is uniformlydistributed to the overall separation membranes.

That is, a multiple tube type separation membrane module of the presentinvention includes plurality of tubular separation membrane elementshaving sealed ends and open ends; outside pipes surrounding the tubularseparation membrane elements with spaces formed therebetween and havingfirst openings on the sealed ends side of the tubular separationmembrane elements as well as second openings in the vicinities of theopen ends of the tubular separation membrane elements; means for inletcommunicating with the first openings of the outside pipes; first meansfor outlet communicating with the open ends of the tubular separationmembrane elements; and second means for outlet communicating with thesecond openings of the outside pipes, wherein a fluid flowing from thefirst openings of the outside pipes through the means for inlet flows inthe spaces between the tubular separation membrane elements and theoutside pipes, components separated from the fluid by the tubularseparation membrane elements flows out from the first means for outletthrough the open ends of the tubular separation membrane elements, andthe remaining fluid flows out from the second means for outlet.

A preferable example of the present invention is a multiple tube typeseparation membrane module having a shell provided with an outlet; firstsupport plate fixed to an end of the shell; second support plate fixedto the other end of the shell; plurality of outside pipes supported bythe first and second support plates and extending in the lengthwisedirection of the shell; tubular separation membrane elements disposed inthe respective outside pipes; first cover attached to the first supportplate; and second cover attached to the second support plate, whereinthe outside pipes have first openings formed on the first cover sidethrough which a fluid flows as well as second openings formed on thesecond cover side through which the remaining fluid flows out after thecompletion of separation processing, the tubular separation membraneelements have sealed ends on the first cover side as well as open endson the second cover side, and the spaces between the outside pipes andthe tubular separation membrane elements are opened on the first coverside and sealed on the second cover side, thereby components separatedby the tubular separation membrane elements from the fluid flowing fromthe first openings of the outside pipes into the spaces between theoutside pipes and the tubular separation membrane elements flows outinto the second cover from the open ends of the tubular separationmembrane elements, and the remaining fluid flows out from the outlet ofthe shell through the second openings.

A partition may be attached to the first cover to form a first chamberand a second chamber on both sides of the partition. A fluid flowed intothe first chamber may pass through the spaces between the outside pipeshaving first openings in the first chamber and the tubular separationmembrane elements, flow out from the second openings of the outsidepipes, flow into the outside pipes having first openings in the secondchamber from the second openings, pass through the spaces between theoutside pipes and the tubular separation membrane elements, and flowinto the second chamber.

It is preferable that the sealed ends of the tubular separation membraneelements are fixed in the outside pipes keeping the spaces by pinsdisposed to either the outside pipes or the sealed ends. The insidediameter of the outside pipes is preferably 1.1 to 2 times the outsidediameter of the tubular separation membrane elements.

It is preferable that the tubular separation membrane elements arehollow ceramic tubes around which separation membranes having fine poresapproximately as large as molecules of substances to be separated areformed. The separation membranes are preferably composed of zeolite.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a multiple tube typeseparation membrane module according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing an outside pipe and atubular separation membrane element in the multiple tube type separationmembrane module shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the multiple tube typeseparation membrane module taken along the line B-B of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the multiple tube typeseparation membrane module taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the multiple tube typeseparation membrane module according to another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing an example ofa conventional multiple tube type separation membrane module; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing anotherexample of the conventional multiple tube type separation membranemodule.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a multiple tube type separation membrane module accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. The multiple tube typeseparation membrane module has a cylindrical shell 1, plurality ofoutside pipes 13 extending in the longitudinal direction of thecylindrical shell 1, support plates 2 a and 2 b fixed to one end and theother end of the cylindrical shell 1 to support the plurality of outsidepipes 13, tubular separation membrane elements 3 disposed in the outsidepipes 13 in a longitudinal direction with spaces formed therebetween,and covers 4 a and 4 b attached to the cylindrical shell 1 so as tocover the support plates 2 a and 2 b.

The cylindrical shell 1 has an outlet 7 projecting outward through whichnon-permeable fluid F₃ is discharged. The non-permeable fluid outlet 7is disposed at a position near to the support plate 2 b fixed to theother end of the cylindrical shell 1. The cover 4 a has an inlet 6projecting outward through which fluid F₁ is supplied, and the cover 4 bhas an outlet 8 projecting outward through which membrane-permeablefluid F₂ (separated component) is discharged. Further, the covers 4 aand 4 b have flanges gastightly engaged with the support plates 2 a and2 b fixed to both ends of the cylindrical shell 1, respectively.

The support plate 2 a fixed to the one end of the cylindrical shell 1has plurality of openings 21 a, and the support plate 2 b fixed to theother end of the cylindrical shell 1 has plurality of openings 21 b.Each of the openings 21 a of the support plate 2 a is correctlypositioned to face the corresponding opening 21 b of the support plate 2b. The extreme ends 131 of the outside pipes 13 are fixed to theopenings 21 a of the support plate 2 a, and the rear ends 132 of thesame outside pipes 13 are fixed to the openings 21 b of the supportplate 2 b corresponding to the openings 21 a, thereby the outside pipes13 are supported by the support plates 2 a and 2 b. The outside pipes 13have second openings (fluid passing ports) 133 at positions near to thesupport plate 2 b.

FIG. 2 shows the outside pipe 13 supported by the support plates 2 a and2 b and the tubular separation membrane element 3. The extreme end ofthe tubular separation membrane element 3 (on the cover 4 a side) isarranged as a seal end 31, and the rear end thereof (on the cover 4 bside) is arranged as an open end 32. The seal end 31 is sealed by a sealmember 9, and a seal 114 is applied between the seal end 31 and the sealmember 9 to secure gas tightness. A fixing member 10 is fixed to theopen end 32 of the tubular separation membrane element 3 with a seal115, and the fixing member 10 is threaded into the rear end 132 of theoutside tube 13.

Plurality of pins 34 are disposed on the inside surface of the outsidepipe 13 at positions near to the support plate 2 a, and seal member 9abutt on the extreme ends of the pins 34. The pins 34 support thetubular separation membrane element 3 in which the seal member 9 isfitted. Note that the pins 34 may be disposed to the seal member 9.Further, a spacer having an opening may be interposed between the insidesurface of the outside pipe 13 and the seal member 9. The tubularseparation membrane element 3 supported by the pins 34 is free to slidein the outside pipe 13. Accordingly, when a fluid F₁ having a hightemperature flows into the outside tube 13, the tubular separationmembrane element 3 can be prevented from being cracked due to thedifference of the thermal expansion between the outside pipe 13 and thetubular separation membrane element 3.

The outside pipe 13 is fixed to the support plates 2 a and 2 bgastightly by welding. The support plate 2 b is welded to the outsidepipe 13 being cured to prevent the portion where the fixing member 10 isthreaded into the outside pipe 13 from being deformed.

The outside pipe 13 may be provided with projections on the insidesurface thereof. The projection can promote turbulence in the fluid F₁flowing in the outside pipe 13. The shape of the projection is notparticularly limited, and the projection need not be formed integrallywith the outside pipe 13. For example, a spring having the same outsidediameter as the inside diameter of the outside pipe 13 may be disposedin the lengthwise direction of the outside pipe 13 coaxially therewith.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the multiple tube typeseparation membrane module taken along the line B-B of FIG. 2 and showsthe outside pipe 13 and the tubular separation membrane element 3 indetail. The ratio of the inside diameter L of the outside pipe 13 to theoutside diameter M of the tubular separation membrane element 3 ispreferably 1.1 to 2.0 and more preferably 1.2 to 1.5. A ratio L/M veryclose to 1 is not preferable because pressure loss is excessivelyincreased thereby. Further, an excessively large ratio L/M is not alsopreferable because the flow velocity of the fluid F₁ passing through thespace between the outside pipe 13 and the tubular separation membraneelement 3 is excessively reduced.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the multiple tube typeseparation membrane module taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1 and showsthe outside pipes 13 and the tubular separation membrane elements 3uniformly disposed in the cylindrical shell 1. Note that the numbers ofthe outside pipes 13 and the tubular separation membrane elements 3shown in FIG. 4 are less than the actual numbers of them to simplifyillustration. Although the distances between the centers of the outsidepipes 13 supported by the support plates 2 a and 2 b are not limited,they are preferably 1.2 to 2 times the outside diameter of the outsidepipes 13 and more preferably 1.25 to 1.5 times the outside diameter inpractical use.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fluid F₁ supplied into the cylindricalshell 1 from the fluid inlet 6 passes through the spaces between theoutside pipes 13 and the tubular separation membrane elements 3 andflows to the second openings 133. At the same time, by sucking theinside of the cover 4 b from the membrane permeable fluid outlet 8thereof, the fluid F₂ permeates each tubular separation membrane element3, and cobines in the cover 4 b, then flows out from themembrane-permeable fluid outlet 8. In contrast, the remaining fluid F₃(non-permeable fluid), which does not permeate the tubular separationmembrane elements 3, flows out to the outside of the outside pipes 13from the second openings 133, combines in the cylindrical shell 1, andflows out from the fluid outlet 7.

Since the fluid F₁ passes through the spaces between the outside pipes13 and the tubular separation membrane elements 3, the flow velocity ofthe fluid F₁ is increased and the fluid in the vicinity of the tubularseparation membrane element 3 is made turbulent, thereby the diffusionof a membrane permeable substances in the fluid F₁ to the vicinities ofthe tubular separation membrane elements 3 is accelerated. As a result,permeation rate of the fluid F₂ through the tubular separation membraneelements 3 is increased, and processing capabilities there of areimproved consequently. When the fluid F₁ is a liquid, preferable flowvelocity of the fluid F₁ in the spaces between the outside pipes 13 andthe tubular separation membranes element 3 is 0.2 to 2 m/s. Sinceresistance occurs against the flow of the fluid F₁ passing through thespaces between the outside pipes 13 and the tubular separation membraneelements 3 by keeping the flow velocity of the fluid F₁ within the aboverange, the fluid flowed into the cover 4 a is uniformly dispersed in thespaces between the outside pipes 13 and the tubular separation membraneelements 3 and flows therethrough. As a result, the entire area of themembranes contributes to cause the component to pass therethrough,thereby the processing capacity of the multiple tube type separationmembrane module is improved in its entirety. When the fluid F₁ is a gas,preferable flow velocity of the fluid F₁ is 2 to 20 m/s.

FIG. 5 shows a multiple tube type separation membrane module of anotherembodiment of the present invention. Since the embodiment shown in FIG.5 is approximately the same as that shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 except that apartition 41 is disposed in a cover 4 a having an inlet 6 of the fluidF_(l), only the difference between the embodiments will be explainedbelow. The partition 41 is fixed in the cover 4 a to longitudinallydivide it into two portions. The partition 41 is fixed to cover 4 agastightly by welding. The seal 116 is sandwiched between the end 41 aof the partition 41 and support plate 2 a to secure gas tightness.

The side of fluid inlet 6 of the cover 4 a is arranged as the firstchamber 42 by the partition 41, and the opposite side thereof isarranged as the second chamber 43. A fluid outlet 7 extending outward isdisposed to the second chamber 43 divided by the partition 41. Outsidepipes are composed of first outside pipes 13 a whose extreme ends 131are fixed to the first chamber 42 and second outside pipes 13 b whoseextreme ends 131 are fixed to the second chamber 43.

The fluid F₁ supplied to the cylindrical shell 1 from the fluid inlet 6passes through the spaces between the first outside pipes 13 a and thetubular separation membrane elements 3 and flows to second openings 133a of the first outside pipes 13 a. At the same time, when the inside ofcover 4 b is vacuumed from membrane permeable fluid outlet 8 thereof,the insides of the tubular separation membrane elements 3, which open inthe cover 4 b, are also vacuumed likewise the embodiment shown in FIGS.1 to 4. Accordingly, substances, which has permeability to theseparation membranes of the tubular separation membrane elements 3,permeate the separation membranes and flows into the tubular separationmembrane elements 3. The fluid F₂ that permeated the tubular separationmembrane elements 3 combines together in the cover 4 b and flows outfrom the membrane-permeable fluid outlet 8.

In contrast, the primarily processed fluid F₄, which does not permeatethe tubular separation membrane elements 3 in the first outside pipes 13a, flows into the cylindrical shell 1 from the second openings 133 a ofthe first outside pipes 13 a. The primarily processed fluid F₄, whichfills the cylindrical shell 1, flows into the spaces between the outsidepipes 13 b and the tubular separation membrane elements 3 from secondopenings 133 b of the second outside pipes 13 b whose extreme ends 131are fixed to the second chamber 43, passes through the spacestherebetween, combines in the second chamber 43 of the cover 4 a, andflows out from the fluid outlet 7 disposed to the second chamber 43.

When the multiple tube type separation membrane module shown in FIG. 5is used, even if the quantity of flow of the fluid F₁ is reduced toabout one half that in the multiple tube type separation membrane moduleshown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the fluid F₁ exhibits a relatively large flowvelocity between the first and second outside pipes 13 a and 13 b andthe tubular separation membrane elements 3. Accordingly, it can be saidthat this multiple tube type separation membrane module is preferablewhen the fluid F₁ has a small quantity of flow.

In any of the multiple tube type separation membrane modules, it ispreferable to use a tubular porous support member which is composed ofceramics or metal and around which a separation membrane composed ofzeolite and the like are formed as the tubular separation membraneelement 3. When, for example, the fluid F₁ composed of water and ethanolis separated, a tubular separation membrane element composed of atubular support member, which is composed of porous ceramics and aroundwhich an A type zeolite membrane is formed, can be used. In this case,water becomes to compose the fluid F₂ which permeates the tubularseparation membrane element and ethanol becomes to compose thenon-permeate fluid F₃.

EXAMPLE 1

Tubular separation membrane elements 3 were made by forming zeolitemembranes around tubular porous support members composed of α-alumina(length: 80 cm, outside diameter: 10 mm, inside diameter: 9 mm) , and amultiple tube type separation membrane module (length: 110 cm, outsidediameter: 14 cm) similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 wasassembled using 25 pieces of the tubular separation membrane elements.Mixed vapor composed of water and ethanol (water:ethanol=0.05:0.95 (massfraction)) was supplied to a cylindrical shell 1 of the multiple tubetype separation membrane module. The mixed stream was supplied at a rateof 100 kg/h, the temperature of the mixed steam was 110° C. at a fluidinlet 6 and the pressure thereof was 300 kPa. When the mixed vapor wassupplied and membrane-permeable fluid outlet 8 was sacked at 1.3 kPa,membrane-permeable fluid F₂ flowed out from the membrane-permeable fluidoutlet 8, and non-permeable fluid F₃ flowed out from fluid outlet 7. Theflow rate of water vapor as the membrane-permeable fluid F₂ was 1.8 kg/hat the membrane-permeable fluid outlet 8.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1

Mixed stream composed of water and ethanol was separated likewise theExample 1 except that a multiple tube type separation membrane module(length: 110 cm, outside diameter: 14 cm, number of tubular separationmembrane elements: 25) was assembled as shown in FIG. 7.

The multiple tube type separation membrane module shown in FIG. 7 isapproximately the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 except that therear ends of plurality of tubular separation membrane elements 3 whoseextreme ends are sealed are attached to the support plate 2 a attachedto an end of the shell 1 and to the support plate 2 b attached to theother end of the shell 1 in a cantilever beam fashion. When the mixedstream composed of water and ethanol was supplied into the shell 1 fromthe inlet 6 as well as the insides of channel members 4 a and 4 b beingsucked from membrane-permeable component outlets 8 a and 8 b, watervapor in the mixed stream permeated the tubular separation membraneelements 3 as membrane-permeable fluid F₂ and flowed out from theoutlets 8 a and 8 b, and ethanol flowed out from outlet 7 asnon-permeable fluid F₃.

The flow-out rate of the water vapor as the membrane-permeable fluid F₂was 0.8 kg/h at the membrane-permeable component outlets 8 a and 8 b.

POSSIBLE INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The multiple tube type separation membrane module of the presentinvention separates membrane-permeable-components(membrane-permeable-fluid) from a fluid by the tubular separationmembrane elements wherein the fluid is caused to pass through the narrowspaces formed by surrounding the tubular separation membrane elementswith the surrounding members. With the above arrangement, since a fluidflow is improved and the contact state between the fluid and the tubularseparation membrane element is improved, the processing capabilities ofthe respective tubular separation membrane elements can be effectivelyexhibited. Further, the flow velocity of the fluid which permeates thetubular separation membrane elements is increased by increasing the flowvelocity of the fluid in the vicinities of the tubular separationmembrane elements, thereby the processing capacity of the multiple tubetype separation membrane module can be greatly improved in its entirety.

1. A multiple tube type separation membrane module comprising: aplurality of tubular separation membrane elements having sealed ends andopen ends; outside tubes surrounding the tubular separation membraneelements with spaces formed therebetween and having first openings onthe sealed ends side of the tubular separation membrane elements as wellas having second openings in the vicinities of the open ends of thetubular separation membrane elements; inlet means communicating with thefirst openings of the outside tubes; first outlet means communicatingwith the open ends of the tubular separation membrane elements; andsecond outlet means communicating with the second openings of theoutside tubes, wherein a fluid flowing from the first openings of theoutside tubes through the inlet means flows in the spaces between thetubular separation membrane elements and the outside tubes, a componentseparated from the fluid by the tubular separation membrane elementsflows out from the first outlet means through the open ends of thetubular separation membrane elements, and a remaining fluid flows outfrom the second outlet means, and wherein the tubular separationmembrane elements comprise hollow ceramic tubes around which a zeolitemembrane having fine pores approximately as large as the molecules of asubstance to be separated is formed.
 2. A multiple tube type separationmembrane module comprising: a shell having an outlet; a first supportplate fixed to an end of the shell; a second support plate fixed to theother end of the shell; a plurality of outside tubes supported by thefirst and second support plates and extending in the lengthwisedirection of the shell; tubular separation membrane elements disposed inthe outside tubes; a first cover attached to the first support plate;and a second cover attached to the second support plate, wherein theoutside tubes have first openings formed on the first cover side throughwhich a fluid flows as well as have second openings formed on the secondcover side through which a remaining flows out after the completion ofseparation processing, the tubular separation membrane elements havesealed ends on the first cover side as well as have open ends on thesecond cover side, and the spaces between the outside tubes and thetubular separation membrane elements are opened on the first cover sideand sealed on the second cover side, thereby a component, which isseparated by the tubular separation membrane elements from the fluidflowing from the first openings of the outside tubes into the spacesbetween the outside tubes and the tubular separation membrane elements,flows out into the second cover from the open ends of the tubularseparation membrane elements, and the remaining fluid flows out from theoutlet of the shell through the second openings, and wherein the tubularseparation membrane elements comprise hollow ceramic tubes around whicha zeolite membrane having fine pores approximately as large as themolecules of a substance to be separated is formed.
 3. A multiple tubetype separation membrane module according to claim 2 further comprising:a partition attached to the first cover to thereby form a first chamberand a second chamber on both the sides of the partition, wherein a fluidflowed into the first chamber passes through the spaces between theoutside tubes having first openings in the first chamber and the tubularseparation membrane elements, flows out from the second openings of theoutside tubes, flows into the outside tubes having first openings in thesecond chamber from the second openings, passes through the spacesbetween the outside tubes and the tubular separation membrane elements,and flows into the second chamber.
 4. A multiple tube type separationmembrane module according to claim 1, wherein the inside diameter of theoutside tubes is 1.1 to 2 times the outside diameter of the tubularseparation membrane elements.
 5. A multiple tube type separationmembrane module according to claim 1, wherein the sealed ends of thetubular separation membrane elements are fixed in the outside tubeswhile keeping the spaces by pins disposed to any ones of the outsidetubes and the sealed ends.
 6. A multiple tube type separation membranemodule according to claim 2, wherein the inside diameter of the outsidetubes is 1.1 to 2 times the outside diameter of the tubular separationmembrane elements.
 7. A multiple tube type separation membrane moduleaccording to claim 2, wherein the sealed ends of the tubular separationmembrane elements are fixed in the outside tubes while keeping thespaces by pins disposed to any ones of the outside tubes and the sealedends.
 8. A multiple tube type separation membrane module according toclaim 3, wherein the inside diameter of the outside tubes is 1.1 to 2times the outside diameter of the tubular separation membrane elements.9. A multiple tube type separation membrane module according to claim 3,wherein the sealed ends of the tubular separation membrane elements arefixed in the outside tubes while keeping the spaces by pins disposed toany ones of the outside tubes and the sealed ends.